6 August 2023 AM – Joshua 1:8 – Col23 – Scott Childs
Introduction: We live in a world that places a high value on success.
Transition: However, worldly success does not satisfy. I want us to see the difference and the benefits of a biblical worldview of success.
1. The Secular Worldview of Success
a. The world’s standard for success
Who determines whether you are a success or not?
1) Yourself – ruled by pride, greed, glory
2) Friends – to impress as the prodigal son
3) Parents – set high standards, never good enough
4) Neighbours – keep up with the Joneses
5) Peers – to meet their approval
6) Your boss – seeking the boss’ promotions
7) Fans – desiring cheers, praise, honour
b. The world’s goals for success
1) To get riches, wealth, property
2) To be the best – Olympic gold
3) To reach the top position – CEO
4) Promotions – climbing the ladder. Accomplishments
5) Honour – educational degrees, titles
6) Fame, recognition, praise
7) Prestige – fancy car, new home, latest clothing
8) Surpassing an opponent
9) Winning a prize
10) A typical worldly goal for success is Just a LITTLE more!!!
c. The world’s frustration with success
1) King Solomon was the envy of all the world as far as success goes. Read Ecclesiastes 2:4-10. However, he found his great accumulations to be empty and unfulfilling (Ecc 2:11). They did not satisfy!
2) The Psalmist gives us a sober warning about riches in Psalm 49:16-17. To “fear” is to stand in awe or to revere. He said, “Do not stand in awe when one is made rich.” When he dies, he will leave it all behind.
3) Jesus told of a rich farmer who He called a fool because he accumulated worldly success yet neglected his soul. Turn to Luke12:16-21.
4) Worldly success often leads to personal failures: neglect of quality time with the Lord, marriage stress or divorce, and no time to mentor one’s children. Joseph Stowell wrote, “One ingredient of success is meaningful time with my children. As a friend of mine observed, “I have yet to hear of anyone who, on his deathbed, wished he’d spent more time at the office.”” Moody Monthly
2. Biblical worldview of success
a. The biblical standard for success
Who determines what is successful?
1) God. He is our Creator, and He alone has the right to set the standard for our success.
2) Being our Creator, God will judge of our success or failure.
a) Personal opinions or desires will not count.
b) The opinions of friends, parents, neighbours, peers, bosses or fans will be of no value on Judgement Day.
c) God’s opinion and knowledge is all that will matter.
b. Biblical goals for success
1) God, in His Word, revealed the following goals for success.
a) Turn to Joshua 1:8. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” It is interesting that the world translated “prosperous” refers to success and advancement, and the word translated “success” speaks of being prudence, being circumspect, or to have insight. We note that God (the Judge) says that the action that leads to this success and prudence is meditating on the Word of God day and night and observing to do all that it says. In God’s eyes, THAT is success!
b) Turn now to Matthew 6:20. “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” Jesus said that we are to lay up our treasures in heaven. That is success!
c) Now go with me over to Mark 8:34-37. “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Jesus said that Christians are to deny themselves, take up their crosses and follow Christ. There is no profit in gaining the whole world but losing one’s soul. The phrase, “losing his own soul,” as used here, is not speaking of going to hell. It is losing (or wasting) one’s opportunity to serve and glorify God with his earthly life. Serving and glorifying God with your life is success in God’s eyes.
d) We find another insight in Philippians 3. Paul, before his conversion, acquired a LOT of worldly success. (Philippians 3:5-6) “Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” He now counted all those successes as dung that he might win Christ (not in order to be saved, but to win Christ’s approval in life) (Php 3:7-8).
e) A few verses later (Php 3:13-14), Paul spoke of his new goal in life. It had nothing to do with how the world viewed him. He considered success to be one thing – winning the prize of God’s approval when he reached heaven. God’s approval marks true success!
f) Consequently, Paul fought with his sinful appetites. Turn to 1 Corinthians 9:26-27. “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” He did not want to be a castaway or disqualified by Christ when he stood before him on Judgment Day. Christ’s approval is true success!
c. God’s counsel for true success
1) As we have seen, serving and glorifying God with our lives is success in God’s eyes. Therefore, we must …
2) Adopt Job’s attitude. (Job 1:21) “And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Success is not about the things we accumulate in this life!
3) Quash pride before it trips us. (Proverbs 16:18) “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Success is not about boosting our ego.
4) Success is about preparing for eternity while we can. (Luk 16:19-31). You will not succeed without Christ’s salvation.
5) Seek to live out Paul’s instruction to Timothy. Flee, Follow, Fight, and Focus (1 Timothy 6:10-12) “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” To lay hold on eternal life is not to earn heaven; it is to seek those things which are above (Col 3:1-3) by serving and glorifying God.
Conclusion: The great preacher F.B. Meyer once asked D.L. Moody, “What is the secret of your success?” Moody replied, “For many years I have never given an address without the consciousness that the Lord may come before I have finished.” Source: Life Changing Thoughts, Gary Smith The Lord may come before this day is finished. “Only one life, twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” C.T. Studd If you have had a secular worldview of success, ask God to change your heart and give you a biblical worldview of success. Trust Christ if you have not already.
